A Kallangur resident who just graduated from Engineering at USC is already working in the Infrastructure division of leading Australasian company Downer.

Boris Kimmel, 23, graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) (Honours) at the USC Graduation Ceremony at Sippy Downs on Friday 17 April.

“I’m a graduate engineer working with a project team carrying out the asphalt works for the Cooroy to Curra upgrade of the Bruce Highway,” he said. “I’m enjoying the challenges and everyone has been very helpful.”

The Pine Rivers State High School graduate said networking during his degree opened the door to his career.

“While completing my final-year project, my USC supervisor Professor John Yeaman encouraged me to attend industry breakfasts and information sessions to expand my network and discuss key points of my project,” he said.

“I met company representatives from the asphalt industry which eventually resulted in my graduate position at Downer Infrastructure. I started work part-time in October and went full-time when I finished my studies in November.”

Mr Kimmel said the USC degree suited his ambition, lifestyle and social circle.

“After Year 12 I was interested in engineering and construction and researched degrees at four south-east Queensland universities,” he said.

“I found USC’s Engineering degree was best for me as it involved a little more civil construction and business courses than the others. It broadened my knowledge base and my ability to think outside the box in order to solve complex problems.

“The other benefits of going to USC were travel – missing the morning and afternoon traffic, the beach being only 10 minutes away from campus, and joining friends from school already there.”

Photo by Silver Rose Photography.

Applications are now open to start studying at USC mid-year.

— Julie Schomberg